“Reader Emails,” My Thoughts on Antigua & the Juan Pablo Rumors

Another day, another set of rumors, innuendo, and speculation. Gotta love it. At this point, nothing I say is gonna convince anyone of anything since I have no details of what goes down in Antigua. It’s a whole jumbled mess with US Weekly’s cover story of “Rejected!” that hit newsstands today which I’m sure will lead to another influx of emails asking me what happened. If I knew, I’d tell you. All I know is the final result and I’ve said that for weeks on end. I guess maybe I should’ve gone back and changed the spoiler section of my site with updates, but since I’d been saying it every week since the first promo aired showing clips from the end of the season, I guess I felt I didn’t need to. But I guess that’s confusing some people. Oh well. I’ve stated time and time again in the last month I do not know any details of what goes down in Antigua. Never claimed to. I’ve just stuck by the information I’ve been told and things I’ve seen that have all led me to the spoiler that Desiree chose Brooks in the end and is with him to this day.

ABC’s press release for next Monday’s episode came out yesterday, and it made things a tad clearer. Not much, but maybe just a little. Here’s what it particularly says about Brooks’ date:

” Meanwhile, Brooks is back with his family in the U.S., torn between his strong feelings for Desiree when he is with her and the insecurities he feels when he is not. His mom and sister offer heartfelt advice about the tough decision he is facing. Desiree is everything he would want in a wife, and there is no denying their emotional and physical attraction to one another. Brooks wants to make sure that, if he is the last man standing, that he has the confidence to put an engagement ring on her finger.

After his mother and sister express their fondness for Desiree and their thoughts about her being a perfect fit for their large, boisterous family, the bachelor, now with the reassurance he needs, boards the plane for Antigua.”

So after the “US Weekly” story today, coupled with this press release, and clips that we’ve seen, here’s my opinion of what I think happens. So I think it’s pretty clear that once Brooks gets to Antigua, he never leaves and comes back. Do I think on his date with Desiree he drops whatever bomb this is on her (he’s not ready for marriage), she leaves crying, and the date is cut short? Probably. I think it’s pretty safe to assume Brooks doesn’t get to the overnight portion of his date, and he leaves during the daytime. Doesn’t mean he leaves the island, goes home, and is never heard from again. Just means he leaves the date, and that’s where the cliffhanger lies. “US Weekly” specifically states today that one of Desiree’s men leaves during their date, and trust me, “US Weekly” is in bed with ABC and gets their stuff directly from people on the show. They work hand in hand with them every season and ABC basically lets them release what they approve them to release to build a storyline. Hence the reason the cover story today is to make you think it’s doom and gloom for Des, she’s rejected, and ends up alone. All this week’s issue is doing is seemingly setting up next Monday’s episode, and nothing after that. I think the episode is going to end with Desiree having her conversation with Chris Harrison that we’ve seen in the clips of him asking her “What do you want to do?”, and her crying and saying she wants to go home. The average fan will think that the guy she wants just left her on her date, she’s devastated, and now what’s gonna happen? And that’s around when the episode will probably end leading into the finale where Brooks “returns” at some point. That’s my best guess at this point. Could I be way off? Sure. But the picture is starting to become a little clearer for the time being.

As for the reports yesterday about Juan Pablo being “offered” the Bachelor gig, let me explain something to you. The word “offer” when it comes to this franchise is a very loose term. They “offer” the lead to many different people every season. I’m sure they are talking to Juan Pablo about it in a, “Hey man, the audience really loves you. Lets chat about possibly having you as the Bachelor next season.” He’ll be flown out to LA, he’ll meet with executives, be given on screen testing, etc. But all the while, they’re doing the same thing with other people as well. The last five “Bachelors” haven’t been officially announced until September right before filming begins, so we are a ways away from knowing who gets cast as the lead. Not to mention, negotiations have to begin, lawyers get involved, etc. I’m sure Juan Pablo is in the running. Just like Lesley Murphy and AshLee last season were “offered” as well. “Offer” basically just means they’re interested and you will meet and talk with them about the gig. Then after gathering everybody’s interviews, and talking to potential candidates, they’ll sit down and make a final decision. The report from E! that came out yesterday is a bit premature since I know they are talking to other people as well. Once it’s all said and done, I do not think Juan Pablo will be the next “Bachelor.”

Seems like if you’re a former contestant on this show and your name isn’t Melissa Rycroft, your best way to extend your TV career is to go on over to HGTV. We know Chris & Peyton Lambton have their “Goin’ Yard” show on there. Jillian I believe is doing something for that network as well having to do with houses. And now Juan Barbieri from Jillian’s season and “Bachelor Pad 1″ is now on an HGTV show called “Power Broker” which premiered last night. You can read about it here. I don’t watch HGTV, but maybe it’s time contestants of this show with a housing background start applying since that network seems to be a feeding ground for this show.

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Minus the temporary cold feet, I think Des’s feelings about the other guys vs how she’s felt about Brooks from the beginning are probably just the way about 50% of the time each season goes. I’d be willing to bet that half the time the lead knows very early on who he/she really wants and has to go through the motions of being open to love with the other contestants up until the end. They just don’t ever show it to us, but I’d be willing to bet they’ve got footage just like her ITM’s where she talks about Brooks being “the one” from plenty of other leads. The rest of the time there probably are a couple of contestants who are still in the actual running until late in the game, perhaps because the lead really is unsure (Jason Mesnick being the glaring example), or because none of them really stand out as being “the one”. After all, with only 25 people to choose from what are the odds that you’d find the person you’d truly want to spend your life with. As history with the show shows us – practically nil. Gotta hope for the best for these two just I like I a

That incoherent dumping conversation went on for about half an hour of screen time. I got quite bored with it and I also couldn’t understand some of what Brooks was saying because he talks so softly and mumbly. Assuming he returns, what does he say that has Des welcoming him back with open arms? He seemed to be most doubtful about dumping her when she admitted she loved him. Life is tough, he shouldn’t go back to her just because of that. If she loves him and he doesn’t love her it’s not going to end well even if he tries to make it work. He’ll probably just tell her he can’t imagine his life without her after all.

Steve’s Twitter’s kinda funny right now . . . people mad at him or gloating re. his spoiler of the ending being wrong. Kinda jumping the gun a little, aren’t they?

Am I the only one who was beyond tired of hearing all the sniffling, snuffing, snot noises from those two. Wonder how Brooks will feel knowing what a wuss he was on national TV.

Poor Des, really begged him to love her. Sad. Why would any woman want to be with someone who is so wishy washy…I’m leaving, I’m staying, etc. It is only a matter of time before he dumps her and then the drama will be without cameras.

And Chris and Drew…come on they must have been cringing to see how desperate Des was hoping Brooks would stay then and there.

When Steve’s spoiler comes out true, I know we will hear plenty from him…and no one will apologize to him for slamming him!

So like the opening line from the TV show Cops … “Whatcha gonna do when they (Drew and Chris) come for you?” Is Desiree gonna say, “The man I have loved since the first day has dumped me. My heart is broken. I could never love you as much as I love him. You can go home now, if you want. Or, we can get married as long as you never forget that you were my second choice.” It appears the cat is about to get out of the bag, and The Bachelorette is going to have to face the music. In the end two men will have every right to hate her guts, and every right to say so on national television. I’m almost looking forward to that last show.

I’m all for Juan Pablo being the bachelor. If they want to crank up viewship I think that might do it. He’s got a charming personality, awesome body and woman will tune in just to hear him talk!! I know I would. I’m way too old for all this crap but I have fun watching it.

I’m stunned at the people over at Twitter ready to lynch RS for his finale prediction. Waaaaaaaay too much time was spent last night on Brooks and Des to let it just end that way. Would anyone put it past production to come up with something like this and drag it out just to raise ratings for the season? This smacks much more of a production idea, and not a Books idea. Since I know RS will be right – and none of his accusers will apologize to him for their ridiculous behavior, I’ll apologize for them. They are sorry, RS, and too embarrassed to say so. The rest of us trusted you all along. You did good. Thanks for another great season.

Well said, Kali. I was so amused when looking at Twitter last night. It’s a little scary how angry some of them were. I mean hello people, last night was not the end of the season. I think it’s super obvious now that Brooks has a change of heart and she accepts him back. Which doesn’t say much about her, in my opinion.

It would be soooo much more exciting if RS was wrong and they ended next episode with Des breaking up with Chris and Drew.
But….let’s face it, Brooks is going to say “actually wait, if breaking up with her was that hard, maybe it means I DO love her!”
And then she will send Drew home and introduce Chris and Brooks to her family and the focus will be on her inner turmoil if she can trust Brooks again or go with Chris, the man she knows loves her.
The problem with this entire set up is
1) Brooks did a pretty good job of being honest about how he really felt and I was proud of him and him backing down because a couple hours of his life were tough and awkward would make me lose all respect for him.
2) Des actually being with someone who told her to her face a week ago that she wasn’t the one and he wasn’t crazy about her is PATHETIC.
3) There is no way ABC is going to show any further footage with Drew or Chris other than break up scenes that anyone will be able to take seriously at this point.
So basically the end is going to be a hot mess regardless, but especially if they go with the formulaic romance angle where he comes back and she goes back to eliminating them one at a time. Which I am pretty sure they are going to.
It will be way more of a hit to the credibility of the show than Brad 1.0 or Jason Mesnick ever were.

agree completely with Kali. this is SO producer conceived. Des showed her hand too early by admitting how into Brooks she was. Well, then lets create this drama by having Brooks say he’s not really into it, and go home. then next week, we’ll have him call back, say he made a mistake, and jump on the next plane back to Antigua to sweep Des off her feet.

I’ve never the lead so “into” and “in love” with the final 2/3 guys as this chick. Just how she acted on her overnight dates with Chris & Drew. She couldn’t stop gushing but yet she’s so in “love” with Brooks. Please. This gal is a basket case. This relationship, if there ever was/is one, will never last. This is one I’m 100% sure about.

Agreed, Strick! She comes across to me as a desperate woman who doesn’t want to be alone. I’d have so much more respect for her if she sent the other two packing, and said hell no to Brooks when he came back in the 2nd part of the finale. Better to end up alone than with a guy who broke her heart while she was still in the “bubble” outside of reality. Can you imagine what that relationship will be like? No thank you.

I’m sure a lot of you keep coming back to refresh the page and see if the new column’s been posted yet. If you’re bored, go to Twitter and do a search for “@realitysteve”- then click on “all”- you can then see all the crazy tweets people have been tweeting since last night. I’m guessing the people that are saying “damn you! you lied! you’re wrong!!” are the same crazies that think Jef Holm would make a sincere Bachelor. It’s a good time killer. (and you don’t need a Twitter account to view tweets, just start out in google and go to his twitter page and then do a search)

If Brooks were smart (and this show wasn’t so fake), he’d run for the hills and never come back. Des is a total dip, who doesn’t deserve any of the guys that are left. But, alas, the show is totally scriped, therefore, Brooks will return to sweep Dippy Des off of her feet. I give it 3 months..max!

I agree completely with everyone. Des must have a real lack of self-respect and strength to take him back after he admitted he forgot about her when she wasn’t around. That’s pathetic. Talk about a relationship built on insecurities and lack of trust. This will last about 2 weeks.

I believe you are right on on this one… I’d be completely shocked if Brooks didn’t come back. I mean come on, what could be better then him coming back and sweeping her off her feet. In retrospect we should have all seen this coming. It the first season of TB where I’ve ever seen the bachelor/ette fully admitting they’d fallen in love with a consestant on camera weeks before the final rose. Sort of a give away he was going to get cold feet. But like I said, I think you all are right on and he’ll be back. I’d still tell him to take a hike if I were her but she won’t.

wow could it be any more obvious that ABC set this up. Facts
1. Last three or four bachelors claim they are in love
2. Bachelorette lets the cat out of the bag early on who she chooses (never happened before)
3. Her choice has reservations prior to Antigua
4. So they have him break up with her

The interesting part will be how he convinces her in the last episode to take her back. Also her facing Drew and Chris that she had already made a choice.

karyn, Sadly people are that ignorant! And quick to judge Steve, even though in the end he’ll probably be right and that when all is said and done, Brooks proposes and Des accepts. (because she has zero self respect or self esteem!)

I am so torn on the ending – does Brooks come back and she rejects him saying she now knows that what she wanted is not what she needed (she then chooses either Chris or Drew rendering RS spoiler void) or does she accept Brooks back and he proposes but ends up breaking up with him later on and she goes on finding love with Chris or Drew later on. Des’ and Chris’ blog were not very kind towards Brooks today (basically hinting that Brooks led her on) plus Des’ brother is again saying what is obvious is not so obvious and Des is happy now. So whatever the outcome is whether Brooks is or is not the F! I don’t think they are together now.

Great ending, BUT if Brooks comes back and they get engaged, OMG what a moron she is!!! How can you take someone after they say they aren’t in love with you. What? He suddenly has a epiphany? He also said something like it doesn’t matter how much time, if he isn’t feeling it, it’s not going to happen. GET A CLUE Des! Love thyself first Des!!! You deserve more than some idiot saying, “I’m not in love with you!!!” Whether it’s production driven or not, millions saw it…

I just wanted to bring up the old saying….it ain’t over till it’s over…..we still have another week. Also, for the regulars to this show, remember when they deliberately lead you in one direction, it usually ends in the other. I’m sticking with RS on this one. They only want their drama to get ratings, it’s all BS.

Husb & I have watched quite a few seasons, every episode. The recent one with Des & Brooks crying was just a waste of time. Hope next season is better. Who wants to watch someone cry for half hour? I email my mom in another state all about the Bachelorette & she watched it; emailed me how stupid it was. The final three guys just don’t thrill me. They do all seem effeminate, which would be ok if it WERE a Gay Bachelor but it isn’t. I say Sharknado the four of them. Let’s start fresh next season. ABC might need to do some revamping since the gen’l consensus is that this season was slow/boring/dumb.

Seriously? Can anyone come to the conclusion this is reality (real) t.v.? I agree with many here that a lot of this drama was a set up to save the boring season. We all need to realize it’s like reading a fictional book. This whole half hour of fake sobbing was ridiculous. We all knew it was a set up to bring Brooks back to save the day. Crazy. Now that Chris the host is single maybe he’ll be the next Bachelor, laugh. What a joke this season has been.

Totally agree with everything RS has said here. Specifically that I was giving Brooks kudos for saying “I’m just not that in to you” (especially in 6 wks time,) however many of you are probably right to say this was a stage for it to be the MOST DRAMATIC epi everrrr.

Regardless of the out come I predict they WILL NOT last. Typical track record of this show.

Hey, did anyone else notice how drunk Des got on her date with boring Chris (I would have too)? All she could say was “mmm hmmm.” It was the most interesting thing I’ve seen her do all season.

Been reading site forever, but this is my first post. Newbee. You guys are fun.

RS-sorry for your loss. Here in Atlanta, radio personality, Bert Weiss expressed the same feelings, and a personal tribute. Sounds like a wonderful guy will be greatly missed.